Legacy effects of alfalfa monocultures or annual crop/alfalfa mixtures on subsequent corn yield and quality

Interseeding annual crops into existing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stands is gaining interest, and one reason may be that alfalfa lowers nitrogen requirements for subsequent crops. However, little is known about the legacy impact of this practice on subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) production. An experiment involving interseeding annual cool‐season crops into alfalfa was conducted between 2017 and 2021, which serendipitously allowed us to evaluate the legacy impact of this practice on subsequent corn grain production. This follow‐up study compared corn grain yield and quality of corn planted subsequently on positive control plots (alfalfa monoculture), negative control plots (annual crop monoculture), and experimental treatment polyculture plots (annual crops planted into alfalfa). We found that corn yield was lower following annual monocultures compared to corn following alfalfa monoculture and polyculture plots. The treatments did not have a significant effect on grain protein or ..., , # Legacy effects of alfalfa monocultures or annual crop/alfalfa mixtures on subsequent corn yield and quality

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.6t1g1jx9r](10.5061/dryad.6t1g1jx9r)

## Description of the data and file structure

The data is associated with \"Legacy effects of alfalfa monocultures or annual crop/alfalfa mixtures on subsequent corn yield and quality\" published in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment.  Article DOI: 10.1002/agg2.70114.

### Files and variables

#### File: AGE\_Whippo\_et\_al\_2025\_Data.xlsx

**Description:** An excel work book with four tabs with data for plot soil analysis, plot alfalfa density, relative chlorophyll content, and grain yield and quality.

##### Variables

* plot = plot number
* block = block or replicate number
* 2017_crop = Crop planted in 2017
* 2018_crop = Crop planted in 2018
* 2019 crop = Crop planted in 2019
* 2020 crop = Crop planted in 2020
* 2021_crop = Crop planted in 2021
* 2022_crop = Crop planted in 2012
* treatment = plot treatmen...,